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In the Dark: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 985 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A Deadly Crash
A rainy night in south London. A gun is fired into a car, which swerves onto the pavement and plows into a bus stop. It seems that a chilling gang initiation has cost the life of an innocent victim. But the reality is far more sinister....
A Dangerous Quest
One life is wiped out and three more are changed forever: the young man whose finger was on the trigger, the aging gangster planning a deadly revenge, and the pregnant woman who struggles desperately to uncover the truth. How will she, two weeks away from giving birth, now cope in a world where death is an occupational hazard?
A Shocking Twist
In a city where violence can be random or meticulously planned, where teenage gangs clash with career criminals, and where loyalty is paid for in blood, anything is possible. Secrets are uncovered as fast as bodies, and the story's final twist is as breathtakingly surprising as they come.
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"This was my first Mark Billingham novel, having not yet read any of the Thorne series (I do intend to). It took me a few chapters to adapt to the writing style as it reads more like a movie script than a standard novel but as the plot takes hold and intrigues, it is this style that adds weight to the book and really does work. The plot itself is multilayered in presenting many different perspectives on the seemingly straightforward death of a police officer. Of course it is not straightforward at all as the officer's heavily pregnant and adulterous wife (a policewoman herself) finds out as she sets out to untangle the complex reason behind her husband's death. Billingham does a great job is showing life on the other side of the tracks, even evoking sympathy with the supposed killer, Theo. In The Dark builds up nicely as the puzzle is solved, although the ending for me was inevitable."
— Steve (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Excellent.... Billingham does for South London what Richard Price does for Manhattan's Lower East Side in Lush Life.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review -
“A cunning variation on the serial-murder theme.”
— Sunday Telegraph (London) -
“Assured and shocking thriller.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Excellent…. Billingham does for South London what Richard Price does for Manhattan’s Lower East Side in Lush Life.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Billingham has become a major player in the British crime-fiction world, but this is a definite misstep. Fans will stick with him, and libraries will need to have all the Thorne novels on the shelf.”
— Booklist
In the Dark Listener Reviews
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" British procedural. Main character is a very pregnant cop who must solve a crime no one else appears to recognize as such. Excellent story; the main character is appealing, and even the "bad guys" evoke sympathy. "
— Abholler, 2/14/2014 -
" Nice. Kinda like a UK George Pelecanos. Corner boys, Cops, grizzled old gangsters. In fact - - wait - - it's like if a Mike Hodges character ran up against the Wire boys. Any doubt who would win? Yeah. Interesting people, unexpected twists. Good stuff here. "
— THOMAS, 2/5/2014 -
" I think that it is probably a good read. But I just couldn't get into it and gave up half way through. I did try "
— Dave, 2/2/2014 -
" The first non Thorne book I have read of Mark Billingham's. This follows Helen Weeks and the terrible tragedy that befalls her whilst pregnant with her first child. (Tom Thorne has a very minor role) "
— Caroline, 1/14/2014 -
" Very enjoyable, it includes several characters you grow to like who are among the 'baddies', plus the wonderful no nonsense aggrieved widow Helen. "
— Jo, 12/19/2013 -
" Yet another excellent book from Mark Billingham! Thorne rules! "
— Martin, 11/27/2013 -
" This is dark, gritty and very good. "
— Bebeth, 10/8/2013 -
" Mark Billingham is a master of misdirection. Tom Thorne plays a very minor role in this book. "
— Rog, 9/23/2013 -
" Pretty good. Lots of characters and stuff going on. "
— Bonnie, 3/20/2013 -
" Deep and satisfying characterizations and a heart-grabbing ethical angle. Fine book with plenty of plot surprises. "
— Rebecca, 12/28/2012 -
" Standalone thriller from the creator of Tom Thorne. "
— Keith, 11/18/2012 -
" Would rate this as Mark Billinghams best book to date. You never see the twist coming at the end. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent read "
— Debbie, 8/26/2012 -
" Well written murder mystery/thriller with an interesting plot and good characters "
— Jack, 2/1/2012 -
" I enjoy Billingham's Thorne series very much (Thorne is the Harry Bosch of Britain). But this standalone was dull and lifeless. "
— Harvey, 1/19/2012 -
" I rate this book a 3.5. I found the characters realistic and was surprise at the twist "
— Chantelajayi, 12/13/2011 -
" Excellent plot with a savage twist. Worth a read. "
— Lysergius, 10/15/2011 -
" I had a hard time in the beginning of the book, but it did all pay off in the end. "
— Deidre, 7/23/2011 -
" A pregnant policewoman investigates a killing that's a little too close to home, but (as usual!) discovers that all is not what it seems. A readable crime/mystery/thriller. "
— Joe, 2/23/2011 -
" Gangs - not up to his usual standard "
— Mazmum, 11/14/2010 -
" If this was the first book I read by this author, I probably would not read another. <br/> <br/>Obscure plot, shallow character development, and lots of loose threads left hanging. I felt used and abused and set up for a sequel. "
— Marianne, 5/7/2010 -
" Nice. Kinda like a UK George Pelecanos. Corner boys, Cops, grizzled old gangsters. In fact - - wait - - it's like if a Mike Hodges character ran up against the Wire boys. Any doubt who would win? Yeah. Interesting people, unexpected twists. Good stuff here. "
— THOMAS, 2/9/2010 -
" For me, not as riveting as the Inspector Thorne series. It took awhile before the book grabbed me, but Billingham's craft eventually shone through. "
— Herzog, 9/13/2009 -
" I am a huge fan of this author but there didn't seem to be much mystery here and the beginning was hopeless with all the characters and you didn't know who was who. Really liked it his Thorne series much better. "
— Kim, 8/16/2009 -
" Mark Billingham is a master of misdirection. Tom Thorne plays a very minor role in this book. "
— Rog, 7/25/2009 -
" One rainy night a gang initiation goes deadly wrong when a car they shoot at hits and kills a police officer standing at a bus stop. His pregnant widow starts investigating and finds out that all is not as it seems. Great story with a surprise twist. "
— Jo, 5/26/2009
About Mark Billingham
Mark Billingham worked as an actor, a television writer, and a stand-up comedian before becoming one of the most critically acclaimed crime novelists in the world. He has written numerous bestsellers and has twice won the Theakstons Old Peculier prize for Best Novel of the Year. He lives in North London with his wife and two children.
About Stephen Hoye
Stephen Hoye has worked as a professional actor in London and Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Trained at Boston University and the Guildhall in London, he has acted in television series and six feature films and has appeared in London’s West End. His audiobook narration has won him fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.